Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the ultimate governing body of the University of La Verne. As stewards of this institution, the Board manages and allocates funds to fulfill the university’s educational mission and ensure its future. We meet regularly to review the financial goals of the school, set policies and their application, and confirm La Verne functions in accordance with those policies and goals.

It is a significant responsibility for all members, one met with great enthusiasm. The board is comprised of many voices, all community leaders who bring a range of personal and professional experiences to the task of guiding the university. Yet the outcome remains the same since our founding in 1891: guard La Verne’s legacy as a strong and vibrant center of learning. As an alumnus, I am honored to serve in this position.

Officers of the Board of Trustees

Luis F. Faura ’89
Chair
First Joined Board 2002
Luis Faura is president and CEO of C&F Foods, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from La Verne, an MBA from Pepperdine University, and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He also serves as member of the Board of Visitors with Pepperdine University, Advisory board for Padres Contra El Cancer, and is an active member of Vistage 35.

Steven N. Reenders ’73
First Joined Board 1989
Steve Reenders is president of The Reenders Company, a consulting and investment firm located in San Clemente. He is also chair of the Covina Irrigating Company and a director of SunWest Bank in Irvine. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of La Verne.

Susan M. Searing ’71
Secretary
First Joined Board 2009Sue Searing is a retired educator, having served 25 years in elementary school education in the Ontario-Montclair and Arcadia Unified school districts. She also owned and operated her own presch
ool/kindergarten from 1978-90 in Arcadia. She earned her bachelor’s degree (1971) and teaching credential (1972) from La Verne. She is currently a President’s Associates member.

Michael A. Abraham
First Joined Board 1999
Mike Abraham is CEO of MKA Capital Group, Inc., which he founded in 1979. He is a past member of the University of California Santa Barbara Foundation and his company is a founding sponsor of the UCSB Technology Management Program. La Verne presented him with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree in May 2005, and he and his wife, Sara, received the University of La Verne President’s Award in 2007. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara.

Kim Bowen
First Joined Board 2016
Kimberly Bowen is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Millennium out of Glendora, CA. Her husband, Stephen, is a dentist in Glendora. The Bowens have four children, the eldest of which recently completed her Doctor of Psychology from the University of La Verne (2015).

Kim J. Burchiel, M.D.
First Joined Board 2012
Kim Burchiel is John Raaf Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is the President-elect of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. Kim completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Davis, majoring in Biochemistry and Genetics. He then went to medical school at the University of California, San Diego, graduating in 1976. He completed his surgical internship at the UCLA/Harbor General Hospital in Torrance, California and entered neurosurgical residency at the University of Washington under the leadership of Dr. Arthur A. Ward.

Ann Quay Davis
First Joined Board 1996
Ann Quay Davis is a Partner Emerita for CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP and continues her work with the tax practice of the firm, specializing in individuals, estates and trusts. She is a registered investment advisor and licensed life & health insurance agent. She holds a bachelor of science in accounting from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s degree in business administration in taxation from Golden Gate University. She serves as a director with the Pomona Valley Estate Planning Council, is a past president of both the La Verne and Glendora Chambers of Commerce. She is currently a President’s Associates member.

Robert P. Dyer ’63
First Joined Board 2014
Robert P. Dyer graduated from La Verne College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. The University of La Verne has honored Bob with the Centennial Citation of Distinction (1990); the Alumnus of the Year Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater (1996); and he was inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. Bob was on the Alumni Advisory Board from 1973 until 1979; has announced football games since 1987; basketball games since 1990; and has been president of the La Verne Athletics Associates (LVAA) since 1985. He is a retired educator of the Chino Valley Unified School District.

Peter D. Eckel
First Joined Board 2013
Peter Eckel is Senior Fellow/Director of Leadership Programs at the University of Pennsylvania. He has written and spoken extensively about academic leadership, institutional change and campus governance. In addition to writing and speaking, Eckel serves as Senior Fellow/Director of Leadership Programs at the University of Pennsylvania in its Graduate School of Education and teaches in its executive doctorate program. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy, Planning and Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Zoila Escobar
First Joined Board 2017
Zoila D. Escobar is the Vice President of Strategic Development and Community Support and President of the AltaMed Foundation. She has an extensive history in the health care field. Ms. Escobar was nominated by the Los Angeles Business Journal as Woman of the Year in 2006 and Received the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation Woman of the Year award in 2007. In 2008, she received the National Latina Business Woman Association L.A. In 2011, she received the 2011 Latino Spirit Awards from the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Ms. Escobar is an alumna and completed both her B.S. in Health Services Administration (2003) and a MBA both from the University of La Verne (2013).

Joseph V. Fengler ’89
First Joined Board 2013
University of La Verne Alumnus Joseph Fengler is Vice President of Government Relations at Honeywell International where he serves as the global lead for civil aviation and infrastructure projects as well as coordinating Honeywell’s Washington DC political operations. Prior to joining Honeywell in 2006, he served 13 years in the federal government, four years as a professional staff member on the House Armed Services Committee and nine years as a Department of Army civilian financial manager and budget officer. He began his federal career in 1993 as a Presidential Management Fellow. He holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of La Verne, a master’s in national security studies from California State, San Bernardino, and a master’s in international studies from Claremont Graduate University.

Benjamin C. Harris
First Joined Board 1979
Ben Harris is a retired entrepreneur. A two-time past Board of Trustees Chair, he has been extensively involved in projects involving building and educational programs at La Verne during the past 30 years. La Verne awarded him an honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters in May 2006. He and his wife, Barbara, were presented the University of La Verne President’s Award in 2002. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

William A. Hawkins ’96
First Joined Board 2011
Bill Hawkins is managing director of Overton Partners in Pasadena, a financial consulting firm. In addition, he is currently Trustee of the Columbia Funds and a Trustee of the Bank of America Money Market Funds. Bill received his bachelor’s degree in business from West Coast University and his MBA from La Verne. He was previously a member of the University of La Verne Corporate Associates.

Mark Hicks ’90
First Joined Board 2009
Mark Hicks is president of NHC Medical Supply. He earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne in 1990 and serves on the university’s College of Business & Public Management’s Business Advisory Board. He is also on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

Anthony W. LaFetra
First Joined Board 2012
Anthony (Tony) LaFetra is president and CEO of Rain Bird, a privately held company founded in 1933. Tony is a graduate of Stanford University. He has served on several not-for-profit boards including Harvey Mudd College and Foothill Presbyterian Hospital. In 2005, Tony established the permanent endowment for the LaFetra Family Endowed Chair for Excellence in Teaching and Service to fund a senior faculty position within the LaFetra College of Education.

Wendy Lau, Esq. ’98
First Joined Board 2011
Wendy Lau is a Partner at Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, in Rancho Cucamonga, where she focuses on construction law including defense of developers, general contractors, construction managers and design professionals in complex multi-party litigation involving commercial and residential properties. She graduated magna cum laude from La Verne with a bachelor’s degree and she received her juris doctorate from Pepperdine University. She is a member of the university’s Alumni Advisory Board and serves on the Board of Directors for Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority. She is currently a President’s Associates member.

Alex D. Lester, Esq. ’08, ’11
First Joined Board 2014
Alex Lester was born and raised in Milwaukie, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. He attended the University of La Verne and was involved in Greek Life, student government, orientation week, the Landis Leadership Scholars Program, the honors department, and the Leadership Education and Development Program in the Office of Student Life. Alex graduated with a B.S. in Political Philosophy, a self-created major, in 2008. He immediately continued on to attend the University of La Verne College of Law and graduated with his J.D. in 2011. Alex is currently an attorney licensed to practice in California and works at the Law Offices of Mark John Tundis in Upland, practicing general civil litigation. He is a member and past President of the Alumni Advisory Board, and an advisor to his fraternity Phi Delta Theta.

Richard A. Lewis
First Joined Board 2000
Richard Lewis is president and co-owner of Lewis Operating Corporation. He is former president of the Baldy View Chapter of the Building Industry Association and has served on numerous National Association of Homebuilders councils. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College (previously Claremont Men’s College. Previously honored as Builder of the Year by “Builder & Developer Magazine,” he is a member of the California Building Industry Association Hall of Fame and is currently a President’s Associates member.

Kenneth D. Little ’89
First Joined Board 2008
Ken Little is a partner in Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. A Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant, Ken graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from La Verne and also received his a master’s in business from Duke University. He is vice chair on the Board of Directors for the Barrio Logan College Institute and formerly served on the board of the Helix Community Conservancy. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

David Lizzaraga
First Joined Board 2017
Dr. David C. Lizárraga is the Founder & Chairman of TELACU Education Foundation. He is internationally renowned as a pioneer in the field of community and economic development. He created the innovative TELACU Model, the community investment engine that sustains TELACU as the nation’s largest Community Development Corporation. He also shares his expertise, leadership, insight and time with many other civic, business, educational, governmental and community based organizations. David is a past Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, advocating for more than 2.5 million Latino businesses throughout the nation.

James W. Long
First Joined Board 1983
Jim Long is general and managerial partner of Magnesium Alloy Products Company. He holds a degree in engineering from USC and is a member of the American Metals Society, the American Foundry Society and the American Helicopter Society. He has previously served two terms as chair of the university’s Board of Trustees.

Mary Ann Melleby ’79, ’91
First Joined Board 2000
Mary Ann Melleby is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency. She retired in 2011 from her position as the Public Affairs Director of the Monte Vista Water District, following a 32-year career in public relations and marketing. She graduated cum laude from La Verne with a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in organizational management. She also holds a diploma in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. She has served as a board member of Brethren Hillcrest Homes of La Verne, the Pomona Valley Council of Churches, the Pomona Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women. She was the first woman president of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce.

Paul Moseley ’88
First Joined Board 2005
Paul Moseley is co-owner of Ruby Springs Lodge in Alder, Montana. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from La Verne. Along with being an active supporter of Montana charities and organizations, he has contributed to La Verne athletic and scholastic programs including establishment of a lectureship series in honor of Professor Ahmed Ispahani and Ispahani’s cousin, the late Benazir Bhutto. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

Stephen Phinny ’79
First Joined Board 2014
Stephen D. Phinny is President of Saguaro Ranch Development Corporation, a luxury real estate development outside of Tucson, AZ. Early in his career, Stephen founded Extra Room Inc., a property use and development company that specialized in the development of and investment in office and self-storage properties. He was a founding shareholder and past director of the Founders Trust Personal Bank. In 1996, Stephen and two partners founded Gray Head, a real estate development firm, and created what would become the predecessor to Saguaro Ranch Development. Stephen earned his B.A. from La Verne and attended Texas Tech University forgraduate level studies in Agricultural Economics.

Deborah Proctor
First Joined Board 2015
Deborah A. Proctor is the President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph Health. Prior to joining St. Joseph Health, she was the Chief Administrative Officer of Ascension Health where she assisted the organization in developing the culture, leadership capability, organizational capacity, and necessary infrastructure to ensure achievement of critical results. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles and her master’s degree in nursing from California State University, Los Angeles. She has received several academic honors and awards including Invited Guest, World Economic Forum, in Davos Switzerland. Ms. Proctor is a current member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Past memberships include: American Nurses Association; the American Association of Critical Care Nurses; and the American Management Association.

Leslie Porras ’94, ’00
First Joined Board 2011
Leslie Porras is the director of public relations for Wellpoint, Inc.’s State Sponsored Business division, one of the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Prior to Wellpoint, she worked at Cedars-Sinai Health System as Public Relations Director. She previously sat on the Board of the Safe Haven Project, a non-profit, domestic & international HIV/AIDS education & outreach organization. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of La Verne. She is currently a President’s Associates member.

Tony Revier ’93
First Joined Board 2016
Anthony Revier is the President/CEO of Uyemura USA, a subdivision of Uyemura International Corp. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Baker Brothers Systems Engineering in Arcadia, CA and held several sales roles at Walgren West, Turner Engineering, M&T Chemicals. He served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1968 -1970 in Vietnam. He earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of Central Oklahoma, and his MBA from the University of La Verne. Anthony is also a member of the University’s College of Business & Public Management Advisory Board.

Valerie C. Romero ’00
First Joined Board 2006
Valerie Romero is executive vice president of Oremor Management & Investments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Scripps College and a juris doctorate from the University of La Verne College of Law. She and her family have a history of committed involvement with the university and of supporting its programs and projects.

Margaret Sedenquist
First Joined Board 2011
Margaret Sedenquist is a successful real estate manager at Sedenquist Fraser Enterprises in Pasadena. Additionally, she currently manages a property management company, a plastic factory, and she is the founder of the Commercial Pacific Bank. She was named Pasadena’s Woman of the Year in 2011 and is a strong proponent of the values embodied in the mission of the University of La Verne. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, she has contributed to the University International Studies Institute to support lectures. She is currently a President’s Associates member.

David D. Shively, DDS ’74
First Joined Board 1985
Dr. David Shively has a dental practice in Bakersfield. His involvement in many facets of the dental profession include being an active member of the Flying Samaritans, serving as a community health volunteer and educator, and chairing a dental health committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree in science from La Verne and his D.D.S. from University of the Pacific. He has served on the board of the Bakersfield Church of the Brethren and is currently a President’s Associates member.

Alan Simon
First Joined Board 2014
Alan Simon is the Chairman of Omaha Steaks International. Throughout his career, he has served as a member and chairman of several business boards including the Omaha Symphony Association, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Goodwill Industries, and The Salvation Army. Alan was awarded the Presidential Volunteer of the Year Award for Outstanding Job Training for At Risk Youth.

Owen “Ray” Skelton
First Joined Board 2011
Ray Skelton retired from his senior sales management position as Regional Vice President at Black & Decker. He currently devotes his retirement to community and civic leadership. Ray and his wife, Katie, are parents of two sons who graduated from the University of La Verne in 2009. Last year, he and his wife established the Skelton Endowed Scholarship in order to provide financial aid to students in the College of Arts and Sciences. They have been donors at the President’s Associate level for the last three years. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

Emmett L. Terrell ’70
First Joined Board 1996
Emmett Terrell is retired deputy superintendent with the Pomona Unified School District. He has 22 years of experience leading Human Resources in a 30,000+ student district, with over 3,000 personnel, and 40 years of experience as an educator/administrator in an urban, low income K-12 district where 39% of students are English Language Learners. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne and a master’s from Azusa Pacific University. He currently serves as a member of the L.A. County Fair Association and L.A. County Fair Educational Foundation, as a Board member for Hillcrest Retirement Community, and as a Board member for Bright Prospects.

Reggie Webb
First Joined Board 2014
Reggie Webb is a McDonald’s franchisee, owning 11 locations throughout Southern California. Reggie served in the U.S. Coast Guard in the late 1960s and was involved in the Civil Rights movement in Los Angeles. He has extensive experience with personnel issues and a deep understanding of underrepresented groups in urban culture.

Emeriti of the Board of Trustees

Marvin Belcher ’49
First Joined Board 1968
Marvin Belcher is a retired educator who earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne in 1949. Marvin has been a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren, serving the local Bakersfield Church in many leadership capacities and also serving the Pacific Southwest Conference Church of the Brethren as moderator. He has been a long-time member of the Bakersfield Green Thumb Garden Club and is a past president of the Bakersfield Camelia Society.

Kenneth L. Calkins ’56
First Joined Board 1980
Ken Calkins retired from Garden Grove Unified School District in 1995. In his career, he served as teacher, coach, counselor, dean of counseling and guidance, psychologist, high school principal and Assistant Superintendent in charge of Personnel. He also served in the U.S. Army for two years. He received his B.A. in Education from La Verne in 1956, his M.S. in Psychology from Cal State University Los Angeles in 1966, and his Ed.D. in Educational Administration from USC in 1979. Ken has served on the Board of Trustees at La Verne for 32 years. He began as the Alumni Representative to the Board, later became Trustee-at-Large, and has served in various capacities since: vice chairman, chair of the Human Resources Committee, member of the Executive Committee. He represented the Board on the Compensation Task Force for eight years and, most recently, as co-chairman of the recent, successful Presidential Search Committee. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

Jerry A. Davis ’52
First Joined Board 1975
Jerry Davis is a retired farmer who earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne in 1952. He also holds a bachelor’s of science from UC Davis and a master’s from Claremont Graduate School of Education. He is currently a President’s Associates member.

Cecilia Martinez Morris ’75
First Joined Board 2003
Cecilia Martinez Morris has been with State Farm Insurance Cos. for 25+ years as an agency owner, consultant and California agency recruiting manager. She attended the University of Texas El Paso, Cal State, Fullerton and UCLA for Human Resources Certification. Cecilia earned her bachelor’s in education from La Verne and began working as a high school guidance counselor after graduation. She later entered the human resources management field, becoming Assistant Vice President in Human Resources for the Bank of California (BankCal). While at BankCal she co-founded the Hispanic Bankers Association, was appointed as an adjudicator for the California State Bar, appointed to the California Superintendent of Schools Council for Hispanic Affairs, volunteered as USC and Whittier College Latin Business Student Associations Advisor and sat on the board of the UCLA Institute of Hispanic Media and Culture Community. Cecilia has served as advisor and president of the University of La Verne Latino Alumni Association, Founder and Advisor of the CAPA Alumni Association and is a President’s Associates member.

Jay Rodriguez
First Joined Board 1975
Jay Rodriguez is a retired foundation executive and a former vice president at NBC in Los Angeles. He is a past president of the Greater Los Angeles Press Club, former chair of the Greater Los Angeles American Red Cross and has served on the National Board of Governors for the American Red Cross.

Donald G. Wilson ’63
First Joined Board 1979
Don Wilson is a retired entrepreneur. He earned his bachelor’s degree from La Verne in 1963. His parents, Elvin and Betty Wilson, were generous benefactors of the university and the school’s library is named in their honor. Don Wilson was elected to the Board of Trustees the year his father concluded 12 years of distinguished board service.